After seeing a long lineup of
tactical shooters, the Tom Clancy franchise has finally attempted to venture
into new fields. This outing takes players into bullet-filled skies, with some
of the best aerial combat seen in games of this generation. Hardcore flying
gamers should be warned: This is not Microsoft Flight Simulator. Tom Clancy’s
H.A.W.X. is intended to be a realistic military flight game, but it is
certainly no simulation. It feels, like many Clancy games, similar to a great
action movie. Of course, that’s not to say the game is a letdown. In fact,
anyone who enjoys the genre will likely appreciate the frenetic fun H.A.W.X.
has to offer.
While private military
corporations were once a great literary source of villainy, H.A.W.X. nearly
embraces the fact that most modern countries rely heavily on such
corporations. Although the main protagonist is first pleased to find work with
the PMC Artemis after losing his job with the US Air Force, his loyalties to
his homeland ultimately overwhelm his love of the corporate paycheck. This
decision would seem like the sort of heroic quality that would make him
likable and sympathetic, but like most of the game’s characters, there is
little psychological intrigue to mold him into anything memorable. The story
is similarly simplified, despite bearing all the trimmings of political drama
that pervade so many other Clancy titles.
Aside from the usual machine guns
and missiles, one of the greatest assets at your disposal in H.A.W.X. is the
assistance system. When activated, the game plays in a traditional third-person view, the camera following tightly behind the thrusters of your fighter
craft while you bravely steer your way through the danger zone. Deactivated
presents a more distant third-person view, one which is rarely seen in games
of this style. Targets are automatically locked for easy tracking and chasing,
so the camera focuses on the target regardless of where the craft is pointing.
This is initially a very disorienting experience that will take even seasoned
flyboys some time to get accustomed to. Once a firm grasp of this mechanic is
acquired, the game becomes very interesting. Deactivated assistance mode also
allows for the input of breakneck maneuvers in chaotic dogfights, some of
which feel almost unbelievably agile in the Tom Clancy
battlezone.
Despite all the fancy
technological advances of these futuristic flight systems, some elements feel
out of place. The Enhanced Reality System can be very helpful in guiding
players to their targets, but luckily, it can be deactivated for those who
prefer a little more spontaneity in their airborne battles. Dodging missiles
is disappointingly simple; the autopilot alerts the player of a missile lock
on, providing plenty of time to pull off panicked maneuvers which almost
always succeed in shaking the projectile. I think context-sensitive maneuvers
that work better from certain angles of attack or particular aircraft would
have been more realistic without sacrificing fun, but perhaps the developers
were more focused on the accessibility of the gameplay.
Despite a few gameplay problems,
H.A.W.X. has been built with replayability in
mind. Progress unlocks new armaments and fighter jets, each one having its own
set of strengths and limitations. The real cream of the crop, like many recent
Clancy games, lies in the online modes. There’s an eight-player
deathmatch for the competitive gamers, which is a
a lot more fun than fighting the AI dullards littered throughout the
campaign. Cooperative play is perhaps even more fun, as you and a buddy can
take to the skies and blast your way through the entire campaign mode.
H.A.W.X. is also no slouch when
comes to pleasing the superficial player. The roar of jets and peppering of
gunfire all come together for an excellent aural experience in the skies,
while detailed terrain in urban environments and the lustrous shine of
aircraft models keep things attractive on a visual level as well. The
developers utilized satellite imagery to recreate the terrain, and seeing
landmarks in cities like Washington, D.C., certainly adds to the excitement during gameplay. The entire package delivers the goods, for both casual and hardcore
lovers of aerial combat. A bit more depth and variety in the missions would
have probably allowed Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. to climb to much higher altitudes,
though.
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Gameplay: 8.0
Despite
the initial struggle, the game controls very nicely and offers excellent
combat scenarios.
Graphics: 8.0
Great textures,
smooth models, and sharp skylines.
Sound: 9.5
Sounds even
better than it looks, crisp and powerful with lots of punch.
Difficulty: Medium
Some
challenges feel a bit contrived, but things are generally balanced.
Concept: 8.0
A
great start for an extension of the Clancy franchise, H.A.W.X. says “I can do
this, and I can do it very well.”
Multiplayer: 8.0
Great
deathmatch mode for online
dogfights, and some tasty co-op thrown into the mix.
Very entertaining.
Overall: 8.0
Tom Clancy’s
H.A.W.X. excels at nearly everything it tries to do, and provides great
replayability for long-term flyers. An improved
campaign will make the sequel a true beauty.
